Dia is mhuire diobh go leir a cairde and welcome to my weekly Report.
It looks like January is going out like a lamb. You never appreciate the good day until you’ve had bad ones and as we have come through a long period of rain, storms, snow, plus thunder and lightening, these few fine days never tasted so sweet. The fine dry bright day fills you energy and leaves you rearing to go, regardless of how old or young you are. People who have homes of their own are blessed moreover these days because having your own space you are free to wander out on the nice day and find something to do. A lick of paint can turn an eye sore into a thing of beauty in a very short time. Perhaps nobody will see or notice it but you and if it brightens your day then the whole world is a better place. There is nothing as handy as having some paint left from before, paint rollers are a Godsend so that you can start the job as soon as the notion takes you. If you have to go through the rigours of going to town for your supplies, you’re sure to meet someone, get delayed and the job at home is put back for another day. Meeting up with people is the nicest thing ever, but not on the day when weather and mood are in tandem. Sometimes I think we recycle almost too much because if you want old clothes to wear in the garden or maybe a cardboard box or a plastic bag etc. you won’t have the likes because they’ve all been binned. As long as they are neatly kept I think it wise to hold on to a few. Paints are great today, they are mostly water based and they dry very fast, also brushes, rollers etc can be cleansed under a running tap. Another throwback from the war comes to mind when we talk about paint. The paint we got back then was very poor quality and was a nightmare at the time of the Stations. Out in the country only farmers were compelled to have Stations. They were held twice a year. Townlands were brought together to form a group of maybe twelve houses, in such a case a person would have the Station every six years. Needless to say in that length of time the house didn’t get much attention. Bare floors, damp walls, all the importance was in the out of doors where the money was made. Everybody knew when it was their time to have the Stations, there was a rota and it was followed to the letter. If right was right people should or could be all prepared well on time, but that never happened. Well in advance the Bean ‘a Tighe would be asking himself to do some work indoors, the parlour nearly always needed a new floor, or a wall to plaster, all rotten with the damp. But he always had some more pressing things to do outside. Eventually it did get done, and it was time to paint. The tins of distemper arrived, a different colour for every room and white for the ceiling. It was slapped on with little time to spare and the people filled in on the day. Everybody including nonfarmers were entitled to attend. They sat around on long seats, usually borrowed among other things for the Stations. The Parish Priest would arrive accompanied by his Curate and the parish Clark called Jack the Clark. In my youth he was a rather weird looking man ,with matted hair always dressed in black and I thought he was a priest even though he lived just across the street from the Church with his wife and family. The entrance gates and walls would be whitewashed at the last minute and the sow roaming free around the yard rubbed herself off it and some of the white came away on her, and the Canon was heard to say to his Curate, look, they painted even the sow. There would be confessions before and during the Mass and when it was over the Canon would put his ledger on the raised (Alter) table and call the names of the Farmers to come and pay their dues. So much per cow and there was often a rather heated debate as to how many cows he had. The dues settled, the men often went out in the yard to smoke and chat and I can always remember one man who always asked for a sip of water in case he hadn’t swallowed the host properly. The Clergy always had breakfast in the parlour with a nice fire burning in the grate and it was always the big worry in case everything wasn’t right or to their liking. Once they were finished and gone the feeling of relief was palpable and the house filled with friendly relaxed chatter. But for those who sat by the wall there was the shock on being told on leaving that their ‘good coat’ was destroyed with paint and even though it came easy off the wall it wasn’t so with their Sunday best. TG the paints today are so much better.
This is a very important week in our church calendar. Tomorrow Wednesday is February 1st and the Feast day of St. Bridget one of Ireland’s most popular Saints. Mass for the people of the Parish is at 10.am School children and many others are busy making the lovely rush St. Bridget’s Crosses for us to keep in our homes to protect us from all harm in the year ahead.
Next day Thursday is Candlemas Day with Mass at 10.am when the candles for the Alter for 2023 will be blessed. In the past, people donated packets of these special wax candles that seems to be no longer the case but I’m sure a cash donation would be welcome.
Friday February 3rd is the Feast Day of St. Blaise, with Mass at 10am. followed by the all important blessing of the Throats.
Further to that the annual Knocknagree Lourdes Novena begins on Friday February 3rd. to Saturday February 11th. The Saturday Masses are at 7.30pm all the other nights are at 8. All welcome, those unable to attend can watch online.
Still with religious events The Communal First Saturdays Devotions will begin at the Church of the Resurrection in Killarney on Saturday February 4th at 8.45am. All will be done with the intention of saving souls and making reparation to the Immaculate Heart of Mary thus fulfilling Our Lady’s request to the laity to pray for peace. Please attend as many of these church services as you possibly can, especially in these troubled times all over the world.
Millstreet vintage club will host a gala Car & Coffee morning at Donagh Hickeys in Rathmore on next Sunday February 5th starting at 10.30. Admission free.
A very nice ceremony will be held at our Adult Learning Centre on Tomorrow Wednesday at 11am when students who have studied a wide range of cases and courses there over the past years, will be presented with their certs. With Marie Twomey in charge this mecca of learning reaches out to unbelievable lengths, subjects include, art, adult Education, community skills, English, potting , gardening, personnel effects and lots more. At tomorrows event many people will be proud to accept their diplomas as a result of the great start they got at our Adult Learning Centre. For full details ring Marie 087 686 3887.
Here are the results of this weeks lotto draw which was held on Sunday night. Numbers drawn were 5,6,20,23, and the Jackpot was not won. €100 went to S J Patrick & Marg Gilbourne , the seller was Angela Kelleher and she got €50 sellers prize. €50 went to Hazel Bartley , Killarney c/o Herlihy’s. €20 each to Liam Barrett, c/o Tom Carroll, Kyle Madden, c/o Kelly Spillane . Kellehers, Dromsicane, c/o Herlihy’s, Jerry O Donoghue, c/o Michael Healy. Chris and Veron Twomey, Station Rd. Margaret, Tia Kiely ,c/o Colemans, Chris Egan, c/o Tom Carroll, Cormac Dineen Claragleagh, c/o Herlihy’s. Next draw February 5th Jackpot €5,600
The Marian Players in Rathmore opened their Panto at the weekend to full houses and they will do more of the same on Wed. Thurs, & Sat. Of this week plus Matinee on Sat. Contact number 0852031730.
Our Presentation Convent School held their annual Grandparents Day last week. Starting with Mass at 10am. The church was full with adoring Grandpa’s and Grandma’s. The children of the school attended and their singing filled the church with joy, then all the grandparents some from far away places were invited to the beautiful school where they were treated to lovely refreshments and got the opportunity of seeing their little darlings in class. Many thanks the all involved.
Our Community Council was represented at the Gala Quiz which was held at the Wallis Arms Hotel at the Weekend in aid of the two Community School Students who are going to Lourdes as helpers at Easter. Further to that a Diocesan collection will held this weekend for the same cause.
The death has taken place of Norman Wheeler of Patrick’s Well, both he and his wife Liz were lifetime supporters at many levels of equestrian events at the Green Glens and were guests of mine for over 30 years. May he rest in Peace.
Agus sinn abfuil a cairde Slán is Beannacht Dé libh go léir.
Eily, whenever I hear mention of the Stations, I’m immediately reminded of egg spoons. There was only one set of these little spoons in our neighbourhood and got passed from house to house at Stations time.
A few days before the Stations were due at our house, my sister and I would be sent in search of these little spoons. A must have for the Clergy to enjoy enjoy boiled eggs. I couldn’t understand the use of such a small spoon to eat an egg!